Sympathy for the Devil — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Sympathy for the Devil uses the chords E, D, A, B in the key of E. The progression follows a I–VII–IV–V pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

Rock · 1968 · Intermediate

Sympathy for the Devil

by The Rolling Stones
Key of E 120 BPM Intermediate

Chord Sheet

Key of E · Progression: I–VII–IV–V

E
chord 1
D
chord 2
A
chord 3
B
chord 4
Chord Loop
E — D — A — B — ...
Roman Numeral Analysis
View the harmonic structure and functional analysis of this progression.
View Analysis →
Key
E
Tempo
120 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

Practice Tips for Sympathy for the Devil

  • →Start at 60 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the E→D transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 120 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones

Sympathy for the Devil (1968) is a intermediate-level rock song that uses 4 chords: E, D, A, B in the key of E. The chord progression is I–VII–IV–V.

Chord Breakdown

  • E — major chord, bright and stable
  • D — major chord, bright and stable
  • A — major chord, bright and stable
  • B — major chord, bright and stable

About Sympathy for the Devil

"Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones (released 1968) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of E, D, A creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Sympathy for the Devil as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Sympathy for the Devil, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Wonderwall
Oasis
Em – G – D – A7sus4
Beginner
Em · 87 BPM
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
G – D – Am – C
Beginner
G · 72 BPM
Stand By Me
Ben E. King
A – F#m – D – E
Beginner
A · 76 BPM
Perfect
Ed Sheeran
G – Em – C – D
Beginner
G · 96 BPM
Hotel California
Eagles
Bm – F# – A – E – G – D – Em
Advanced
Bm · 74 BPM
Creep
Radiohead
G – B – C – Cm
Beginner
G · 92 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 120 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones?

Sympathy for the Devil uses the chords E, D, A, B in the key of E.

The progression follows a I–VII–IV–V pattern. This is a intermediate-level song.

What key is Sympathy for the Devil in?

Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones is in the key of E.

The primary chords are E, D, A.

What is the tempo of Sympathy for the Devil?

Sympathy for the Devil is played at approximately 120 BPM.

This is a faster tempo — practice slowly first before bringing it to full speed. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 120 BPM.

What strumming pattern does Sympathy for the Devil use?

Sympathy for the Devil is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play E chord on guitar?

E is the main chord in Sympathy for the Devil.

See our chord library for the E chord diagram with exact fingering.

Can I play Sympathy for the Devil on piano?

Yes! Sympathy for the Devil sounds great on piano.

Play the chords E, D, A, B in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a intermediate-level arrangement.

Is Sympathy for the Devil beginner-friendly?

Sympathy for the Devil is rated Intermediate difficulty.

The chord changes and rhythm require some practice.

What is the chord progression in Sympathy for the Devil?

The main progression in Sympathy for the Devil is E – D – A – B (Roman numeral: I–VII–IV–V).

This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose Sympathy for the Devil to a different key?

Yes! Sympathy for the Devil is in E.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is Sympathy for the Devil?

Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones is a Rock song from 1968.

Its 4-chord progression (E, D, A, B) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.